







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | |
| Maybe I know your friend. | |
| It's not a big deal but it's quite an important thing to mention. | |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | |
| That's good, seeing three houses in one day is not bad. | |
| Erm.. Isn't it there? | |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | |
| You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | |
| That's nice, I like the music and the lyrics. | |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | |
| Anyway, I need to go to the loo as well... | |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | |
| Do you want to bet on it? | |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | |
| He is fine. | |
| Do you live around here? | |
| I've checked some, there is nothing I like so far. | |